Self-closing umbrella



Aug. 7, 1928.

E. CULLMANN SELF CLOSING UMBRELLA Filed March 30. 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet JnI en for: 522s? Uzzmann 1,680,090 E. CULLMANN SELF CLOSING UMBRELLA Filed March 30, 1927 I 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 r F11} i my. .5 b

INVENTOR.

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Patented Aug. 7, 1928..

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ERNST GU'LLMANN, OF MUNICH-GLADBAGH, GERMANY, ASSIGNOR TO THE FIRM -SPEC K & BONSMANN AKTIENGESELLSCHAET, OF HAAN, GERMANY.

SELF-CLOSING UMBRELLA.

Application filed March 30, 1927, Serial No. 1723,1170, and in Germany April 16, 1926.

The invention relates to a self-closing umbrella, in which the stretchers or SPIQZIClGlS,

thereby imparting to the springs the tend-' v ency to close the umbrella.

In the self-closing umbrellas with starframe known up to the present, the release of the arrestingor locking-device which holds the umbrella open is effected by means of a pulling-rod arranged within the hollow umbrella-stick and being connected to a small ringatt-ached to the handle. Therefore in order to release the arresting or loci;- ing-device and thereby efiect the automatic closing of the umbrella it is necessary to pull back said small ring.

In contradistin'ction thereto the novelty of the invention essentially consists in providing a self closing umbrella of the star- 2 frame type with a drop-weight sliding along the umbrella-stick and intended to release the arrestingor locking-device. By these means the considerable advantage is obtained, that by merely turning down the opened umbrella the drop-weight is caused to slide downwards, therebyreleasing the arrestingor locking-device. On the other hand, the combination of stretchers or Spreaders forming a so-called star-frame, which in itself is known per se, will cause,

in a simple and reliable manner, an automatic closing of the umbrella after releasing the arrestingor locking-device through the medium of the elastic force exercised by the 4 plate-springs. which are forced outwards laterally when the umbrella is opened. The elastic star-frame is for this reason specially suited for the construction of a self-closing V umbrella and renders it possible, in conjunction with a drop-weight intended for the purpose of releasing the arrestlngor locking-device which holds the umbrella open, to construct an automatically closing umbrella which, in regard to simplicity, reliability and durability, attains such a degree of. perfection as hitherto has been impossible. In connection herewlth it is recommended to give the drop-weight the shape of a tip-cap which, when the umbrella is closed, secures the ends of the ribs and in this way closely presses the umbrellacover against the umbrella-stick. Or, the lower end of the umbrella handle may be provided with a gap for the reception of the drop-weight, so that the latter is contained in the umbrella-handle and thereby rendered invisible.

Two embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of example in the annexed drawing, in which i Fig. 1 shows the first example in a view of the endof the handle of a closed umbrella, partly in section,

2 is a top-view ofthe opened umbrella, and

Fig. 8 shows the second example in a partview with invisible arrangement of the dropweight, also partly in section.

Fig. 4t is a sectional view of the opened umbrella inverted, and showing the drop weight in position. to engage and release the latch device. f

Fig.5 is a sectional view through the umbrella stick on an enlarged scale and showing the latch device and drop weight in the same relative positions as in Fig. 4.

a represents the handle of an umbrella,

to the lower end of which the umbrella-stick b has been attached. 0 is the well known runner, sliding along the umbrellasticl: Z) and to which the stretchers or spreader-s d for the umbrella-ribs f are fastened with one end each. The stretchors cl each consist of two plate-springs, 7L 2), which are connected with each other at both ends and simultaneously jointed with their lower ends to the runnerc and with their upper ends to the n'iiddle portions of the ribs Moreover, the individual plate-springs g, It of each stretcher are at their middle portions connected each with the plate-spring h or g of the adjoining stretcher by means of a strip iof sheet-metal bent around the plate springs. In consequence of this arrangement, when opening the umbrella, the individual platesprings g, h of each stretcher areforced apart and caused to assume the shape of a star; The stretchers (Z possess for this reason the tendency to close the umbrella again, being, however, prevented therefrom by a well-known latch device a (Figs. 4 and 5) which holds the umbrella frame in the open or expanded position. This star-frame, be-

ing subject to the elastic effect of the springs, is therefore especially suitable for the construction of a self-closing umbrella, in which the arrestingor locking-device holding the umbrella open is released through the medium of a'drop-weight 70 (Fig. 1). The drop-weight 73 consists of a cylindrical metalvbody, which slides along the umbrella-stick i seen from Fig. 1, are trapped by the lower part of the jacket 0, when the umbrella is closed. The ends of the ribs may now, when ever required, be released in a well-known manner by pushing back the jacket 0, thus allowing the umbrella to be opened.

Another example of perforn'lance and arrangr ment ofthe drop-weight is shown in Fig. 3, in which the drop-weight consists, in' a similar manner as shown previously, of a cylindrical metallic body 70 which allows of being moved along the umbrella-stick. The lower end. a of the umbrella-handle a has, however, been provided with a gap 3, which serves for the reception of the dropweight 70, so that the latter is rendered invisible. When carrying the umbrella opened, i. 0., when the part a of the umbrella-handle is pointed upwards, the drop-weight 70 rests upon the bottom 25 of the gap, whilst, when the umbrella is closed, it will be rctained'in the gap 8 by means of the ends of the ribs r The invention is, of course, not limited t the examples of performances represented herein, but other forms of executionare also possible. Especially the design and arrangement of the drop-weight may be effected in any other suitable manner and the enclosed or invisible drop-weight may also be utilized for holding the frame open, and a drop weight slidable upon the exterior of the sta for retracting the catch so as to permit the frame to close, the said handle having a rewhen the umbrella is closed.

9 staff, a self-closing spring frame stressed on an opening movement thereof for a self-closing movement, a catch for holding the frame -u'. A self-closing umbrella including a j tees for the reception of the drop weight open, and a cylindrical drop weight slidable upon the exteriorof the staff for retracting the catchso as to permit the frame to close,

said drop. weight having a slidable jacket 7 serving as a catch to receive and retain the ends of the umbrella ribs when the umbrella is closed. V

4. A self-closing umbrella" including a staff, a self-closing spring frame stressed on an opening movement thereof for a self-clos-.

ing movement, a catch for holding the frame open, and a drop weight of annular form and slidably embracing the staff for retracting the catch soas to permit the frame to close. 5. A self-closing umbrella including a staff, a self-closing spring frame of starshapd type stressed on an opening movement thereof for. a self closing movement,

a catch forholdin'g the frame open, and a 7' drop'weight slidable upon the exteriorof' the staff for retra'ctingthe catch so as to permit theframe to close. i

In testimony whereof I affix my signature, ERNSTCULLMAN 

